North Canterbury News: April 23, 2020

Maintaining Alert Level 4
It’s time to digdeep, andkeeplocking-inthe gainswehavealready
made at AlertLevel 4. Thank youall forcontinuing to do your bit.
CanbusinessesopenatAlert Levels 4or3?
Only essential businessescanoperate at AlertLevel 4. At Alert
Level3,businessescan starttrading,aslong as they cando
so safely.Atbothalert levels,peoplemust continue to work
from home wherethis is possible.
At Alert Level 3workplacesmust:
• meetappropriate public healthrequirements
• maintainphysicaldistancing betweenworkers at alltimes
• tradewithout physicalcontactwithcustomers(e.g. viaphone
or online orders,and by ensuring allpick-ups, drive-throughs
anddeliveriesare contactless)
• ensure customers arenot allowedonpremises.
CanIsend children to school or EarlyChildhood
Centres?
UnderAlert Level3mostchildren andyoungpeoplewill continue
distancelearning. Early Childhood Centres and schools willopen
on Wednesday29April forstudentsuptoYear 10.However,
children that canstayand learn at homeshoulddoso. Children
whoaresick or vulnerable should alsostayhome andtheywill be
supported to do so.
In themeantime, whileweare still at AlertLevel 4, schools will be
cleaned, andgrounds tidied up.Ifyou have anyquestions about
distancelearning or returning to school,contact your school.
CanIexpand my bubble at AlertLevel 3?
Always keepyourbubbleasmall as possible.
If youdoneed to expandyourbubble, youcan do so to bringin
aclose family member,isolatedpeople or caregivers.
CanIleave my bubbleifI’m feelingunsafe?
If you’re notsafeathome,it’sokaytoleave your bubbletoaskfor
help immediately.Ifyou have to leave, youcan contactafriend or
trustedneighbour.Call 111 as soon as youcan,or Women’sRefuge.
If youhave concerns aboutayoungperson, call 0508 FAMILY
(0508 326459).
ShouldIget tested forCOVID-19?
It is importantthatevery sniffle and sneeze is takenseriously.
If youhavesymptoms, seek advice from your GP or Healthline
aboutgetting atest, as quicklyas possible.
Remember –thereisnostigma to COVID-19. Anyone cangetit,
throughnofault of theirown. We will only be successful if
everyone is willing to play theirpartinfinding it,whereveritis.
CanIsee my doctor forthings that arenot
relatedtoCOVID-19?
It’s importantthatyou do notneglect other healthissuesjust
becausetheyare notrelatedtoCOVID-19.
Don’t hold off or wait until youfeelworse. Ourhealthsystem
is open and running andready to help.Healthlineisfreeand
available24hours aday,7days aweekon0800 3585453.
Howcan Imakesuremyfriends andrelatives
aged 70+are feelingsupported?
We knowtherearepeopleinourcommunity feeling isolated
and lonely during this time. Some maynot be reaching outasthey
feel ‘likeaburden’.Now is thetimetopickupthe phone,orstart
avideo-chat, andremindthem that we’reall in this together.
Even somethingas simpleas offering afriendly wave throughthe
windowwhenyou’reoutonyourdaily walk,can go along wayto
making them feel included.Alittlekindnessandrecognitiongoes
alongway.
When can Iuse my car or public transportin
AlertLevel 3?
Youcan use your car to travel forrecreation at Alert Level 3–
just keep it local. Youcan alsouse yourcartotravel if you are:
• gettingessentialsupplies
• using essential services
• attending your workplace, or working
• going to or from school (ifyou need to).
Youshouldlimit theuse of public transport to theabove only,
as therewillbelimited capacity.
If in doubt: Stay local. Stay safe.
Thank yousmallbusinessowners
Your patience and strength, despite the many hardships the virus
is causing,has been exceptional. Youare playing acrucial role in
breaking the chain of transmission.
Gotquestions?
Find the answersfaster at Covid19.govt.nz